Cheep Bike Challenge <$1500

I haven't gotten to read this whole post, but I'm down with this concept so Ill post this before reading it all.

Honda vf700s. Bought it in April or around then for $700. It ran but not well. Went through a cycle of reading the manual (which seems to be for every 80's v4) and buying parts and putting the carbs together and trying it out and taking the carbs off and ordering parts and so on. Probably spent $1000 overall with a couple outstanding expenses that I know about.

Also, I almost burned this bike, like it was on fire and I was smacking it out with a shop rag. singed some of the wiring but not too bad.

Rode it home, 200k looks better in the photo than in life,brakes excellent,motor goes hard no smoke,amazing how much difference in feel between the naked version than the faired one considering that it is the identical bike $765,brand new master cylinder,receipts for servicing over $1000k 2 weeks ago.I love e-bay

Fits well with this one
And I have a 750 as well,anyone sense a theme here?

1982 Yamaha XV920R. 35k miles, sitting for 18 years. $650 CL find; I was the first guy to the door and his phone was ringing off the hook.

Rebuilt carbs and forks, oil change x2 and new filters. New battery and regulator/rectifier, hardwired around the bonked headlight relay, and relocated the rear turn signals with new units. Fairing came with the bike. Still into it way less than $1500.

1982 Yamaha XV920R. 35k miles, sitting for 18 years. $650 CL find; I was the first guy to the door and his phone was ringing off the hook.

Rebuilt carbs and forks, oil change x2 and new filters. New battery and regulator/rectifier, hardwired around the bonked headlight relay, and relocated the rear turn signals with new units. Fairing came with the bike. Still into it way less than $1500.

It is a Vetter Silhouette Cruiser fairing in a smoked plexi. I have removed the bottom section of it as the material that stretches over the headlight was worn out. It does not fit very well and buffets quite a bit. I will play with it some more to see if I can get it to a more workable point.

It is a Vetter Silhouette Cruiser fairing in a smoked plexi. I have removed the bottom section of it as the material that stretches over the headlight was worn out. It does not fit very well and buffets quite a bit. I will play with it some more to see if I can get it to a more workable point.

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Thanks for the info.Those can be a pain, but once they're adjusted to move air around the rider,they are worth it.

Update on my $1450 ++++ St3 Ducati. I've put a thousand miles on it since I got it leagal to ride .
Impressions so far, I do like the 100+ H.P. , somewhat addictive.
The bars are too low and it agrivates my carpal tunnel problems.
It handles, brakes and feels like a Ducati. You can go quickly down the road in moderate discomfort.
Like all Ducs its geared too high.
I rode to Indy for Moto GP with no problems til I got there . Then the clutch slipped any time I reved past 4000.
I put a whole new Barnett's clutch and basket and springs in it to cure that.
Now with fees , parts, etc. I'm at about $2800 in it but , good to go.

over the weekend I picked up a 96 pc800 for free. doesn't run, won't turn over. appears to have an oil leak as it had a puddle under it when I picked it up and none showed on dip stick. said he was riding it and it went clunk and quit running.

looks like I have a winter project. found a motor 90 min from home supposedly with 6k mi on it for $250. that and some fork seals and I should be ridin

over the weekend I picked up a 96 pc800 for free. doesn't run, won't turn over. appears to have an oil leak as it had a puddle under it when I picked it up and none showed on dip stick. said he was riding it and it went clunk and quit running.

looks like I have a winter project. found a motor 90 min from home supposedly with 6k mi on it for $250. that and some fork seals and I should be ridin

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I rode when a few times when I was working in a dealership when they came out.

It was strangely satisfying. Very competent and comfy. The trunk was super handy.

It really was a bike before its time. If I ran across a cheap one I would snap it up.

Not the best pics , but maybe show a little more.
My buddy Ralph's Yamaha FJ 1200 with Sidebike Commanche sidecar. These days he runs a 160 HP motor built for a Legends race car.
He changes the paint from year to year according to his whim. When it was mostly black he felt invisible to traffic and added color back in an effort to be seen. And have cars stop pulling out in front of the rig.

I rode when a few times when I was working in a dealership when they came out.

It was strangely satisfying. Very competent and comfy. The trunk was super handy.

It really was a bike before its time. If I ran across a cheap one I would snap it up.

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I'm in Richmond and am considering selling my '89. PM me a phone number if you want to discuss it. Not sure how soon I'll be ready to do it since I commute on it and the weather is finally pleasant for that, but if you're interested I can give you first shot at it and all the info to make the decision. NOTE: it is not in showroom condition.

Not the best pics , but maybe show a little more.
My buddy Ralph's Yamaha FJ 1200 with Sidebike Commanche sidecar. These days he runs a 160 HP motor built for a Legends race car.
He changes the paint from year to year according to his whim. When it was mostly black he felt invisible to traffic and added color back in an effort to be seen. And have cars stop pulling out in front of the rig.

Click to expand...

Maybe he needs something more like a spot-light or head-light on the rig? I see two slit-like lights... but put a honking chromed or painted bezel light on it and I bet cars pulling out would be less of an issue. I'd cage the light like some WWII tank's headlights for looks, too.